Educational program for a tourist: what you need to know before traveling to America
'20.10.2020'
Useful tips for those who are going to visit the United States, gives the author of the channel “Amazing journey” on Yandex.Zen.
If you have always dreamed of traveling in the United States, you need to get a visa for this. If you live in a large country, you may still encounter differences between America and Europe in the day to day aspects of life. Check them out before traveling and avoid surprises.
Measures and weights in the USA
Almost every measure used in the United States is different from most European countries. Thermometers showing Fahrenheit, Food Pound and are standard here. This is especially important when traveling in the United States - both when planning the distance in miles and when controlling the speed (set in miles per hour). When refueling, check the fuel price (per gallon) and tank capacity (in gallons).
• 1 gallon - 3,78 liters,
• 1 lb - 0,45 kg,
• 1 foot - 30 cm,
• 1 mile - 1,61 km.
Electrical outlets and plugs
If you plan on using electrical devices, keep two things in mind. Firstly, American sockets have a completely different shape than those known in Europe. It's good to have an adapter with you, at least to charge your laptop, phone or camera battery. Secondly, there is a different voltage in American outlets. Some modern devices are adapted to different voltages, but some may not work, and others may even fail. It's worth taking a look at the specs of the device you're going to take with you. This type of information should also be on the equipment case.
State regulation
There are two types of legal regulations in the United States. Federal law applies throughout the country without exception. State laws are adopted by each state separately and can only be applied in that state (although there are also laws that apply, for example, in a particular city). While some of them sound like ludicrous and outdated words from the Wild West era (like forbidding donkeys to sleep in the bathroom in Arizona) or absurd jokes (like rounding pi to 4 in Indiana), others are taken very seriously. These may include gun possession and possession, speed limiting, or marijuana possession. There are many counties called “dry land” where the sale of alcohol is illegal and “wet land” where sales are restricted, for example by setting days and hours of availability.
The prices on the shelves are always indicated
Shoppers in stores should remember that all prices are shown here. Therefore, you should add tax to them and remember that the final price of the item will be higher at checkout. This is because tax may differ in each state for this product.
US National Parks Annual Pass
If you want to visit as many national parks in the United States as possible, your best bet is an annual pass, which gives you the opportunity to visit any park in the United States within a year of purchase. It costs about $ 80, which means that with an average entry price of $ 30 to 4 or more parks, you can visit for free.
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Can you return an item to the store?
There are many stories of cheap travel buying and returning various items on a “no good for me” principle. While this is usually the case, in practice it primarily depends on the policies of the store. It may turn out that the seller has a list of “non-returnable” items. The customer service in the USA is truly top notch, but don't abuse it by returning unwanted or used products just prior to returning.
Exchange your money at the exchange office before traveling
When traveling across the States, you should be prepared for the fact that exchange offices may not accept Russian money. Very often they are simply not available. However, it would be a mistake to rely on the use of only the card, since many terminals (for example, in slot machines) may not support them.
Medical services in the USA
Necessarily - you need to take care of health insurance. Medical services are expensive for Americans, but for Russians they are four times more expensive. People who take their medications regularly should make sure they are always with them.
Public transportation in the USA
Those who usually use public transport may be quite surprised. The smaller the city, the poorer access to public transport. It can also be different in big cities and it is generally best to use the metro. If you are staying somewhere longer, it is worth using the car rental service or relying on local taxis.
Travel between states
Choosing a longer route, you should understand that the distances not only between cities, but also gas stations are much greater than in Russia. Therefore, it is worth taking care of the trip so that there is always a full tank and a small amount of gasoline in stock. Gas stations differ from European ones in several ways. Payment for fuel takes place before refueling, so the customer must return to the checkout to receive the difference. You can often find distributors with the ability to pay with cards, but most often they do not support Russian cards. Despite this, an ATM can be found at the station.
Tipping is always welcome
In US restaurants, it would be tactless not to tip at least 10% of the order value. It's not uncommon to find checks with a box offering the tip amount. It also happens that restaurants themselves include tips in the bill, especially when a large number of people are served at the table. Tipping is also welcome at services - including hairdressing.
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Portions in restaurants - more and more here
If you prefer large portions, keep in mind that the grocery store (like in America) has more. The average portion can be as large as. When ordering a drink, keep in mind that not only will it be larger, but most of the container will be filled with ice. Therefore, it is better to choose drinks without ice. Standard drinks like cola function as self-service. Many establishments also have a custom of giving free water or coffee.
Alcohol in the USA
The sale of alcohol is permitted from age 21 throughout the United States. While beer and wine are readily available in most stores, stronger drinks can be found in so-called “Wine Stores”.
Original column published on the blog. “Amazing journey” on Yandex.Zen
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